sunbird

noun

sun·​bird ˈsən-ˌbərd 

: any of numerous small brilliantly colored oscine birds (family Nectariniidae) of the tropical Old World somewhat resembling hummingbirds

Examples of sunbird in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Looking skyward, the southern reaches of Kenya also serve as a paradise for birdwatchers, with colorful animals like the malachite kingfisher, little bee-eater and Marico sunbird calling the region home. —Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025

Deep in the lowlands of South Asia, the forests are alive with fruit-eating barbets and nectar-sipping sunbirds. —Byalice Sun, science.org, 25 Sep. 2024

On the landward side are women with parasols and schoolchildren coasting on bicycles alongside emerald green paddy fields that harbor a wealth of wetland birds: pond herons, darters, sunbirds. —Chandrahas Choudhury, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Mar. 2024

Spot South Africa's national flower (the king protea), tiny colorful sunbirds, and even one of the mountain's caracals. —Heather Richardson, Travel + Leisure, 17 May 2021

Some of Southeast Asia’s most majestic avifauna can be found soaring through the park— brahminy kites, barred eagle-owls, and rhinoceros hornbills, to name a few—while dazzling species like the Temminck's sunbird and lesser green leafbird can also be found flitting through the forest. —Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2022

These feeders attracts nectarivores, like the hummingbird, sunbird, and honeyeater. —Kristen (kj) Callihan, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Mar. 2023

Goldberg and Leachman, along with Tony Plana (Ugly Betty), are set to play a trio of sunbirds named Lama, Hool and Qapa, respectively. —Kimberly Nordyke, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Oct. 2017

Hummingbirds were the most common target, but mantises also went after warblers, sunbirds, honeyeaters, flycatchers, vireos and European robins. —Natalie Angier, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2017

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sunbird

• absurd
• averred
• bluebird
• byword
• catbird
• catchword
• concurred
• conferred
• cowbird
• cowherd
• crossword
• deferred